First Minister and leader of the SNP Nicola Sturgeon poses with children at ABS nursery (Image: 2015 Getty Images)

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DAVID Cameron's election campaign has "descended into desperation", Nicola Sturgeon claimed, as she told voters they have "48 hours to get the Tories out".

The SNP leader criticised the Prime Minister as he warned the public they risked "five long years" of a minority Labour government reliant on "bribes" to smaller parties like the SNP if the Conservatives were not handed a clear mandate at the ballot box.

Warning of the potential "chaos" of such a set-up, Mr Cameron is telling voters: "Backroom deals. Bribes. Ransom notes. Chaos. Not just for the week after the election. But for five long years.

She went on: "The fact of the matter is, if there's an anti-Tory majority on Friday morning, I want to see that anti-Tory majority come together to get the Tories out, but then make sure that it's replaced with something better.

"The SNP will be a positive, constructive and progressive force in the House of Commons but will stand up very firmly for the things we believe really matter."

In a speech in Dumfries last night, the First Minister dismissed suggestions that it must be the party which wins the most seats in the Commons that forms the government, insisting it must reflect the whole of the UK if it is to be considered legitimate.

"My point is that a legitimate government is one that can command a majority in the House of Commons," she said.

"But a government that relies on support from parties from across the UK for its majority, I'm arguing, would surely be a more legitimate and more representative government.

"A legitimate government is one that can command a majority, but if Scotland chooses to vote SNP - and it's still an 'If', I take nothing for granted - then Scotland will be saying that it wants its voice to be heard loudly and clearly in Westminster.

"For Westminster politicians to somehow argue that that is illegitimate, I think, is undemocratic and I think it is insulting to voters in Scotland."

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